Break exercise

Use the movement symbol designed for our universities in the following ways during lectures or meetings:

• Add the symbol to the first slide of your presentation to remind yourself to mention that it's allowed to stand up or move around freely from time to time.

• Place the symbol in the corner of selected slides. During the review of these slides, participants are encouraged to stand up.

• Plan breaks in advance and insert the movement symbol between appropriate slides. When you reach the symbol, take a short movement break or do a few break exercises together.

You can download the movement symbols here.

Take advantage of break exercise programs or lead a short break-exercise yourself. Oulu University of Applied Sciences uses Break Pro (downloadable from the Company Portal) and Oulu University uses Cuckoo (for staff / students). These break exercise apps contain short, 1-2 minutes exercise videos that you can use to take a break from your work or studies. The videos can also be used in teaching or meetings to break up long periods of sitting.

During longer breaks in lectures or meetings, it's a good idea to go for a walk and encourage others to take a walking break as well.

Standing up is an easy way to break up prolonged sitting. At the end of presentations or performances, applause is often given as a sign of appreciation — and it can be done standing. It's a good idea to mention the practice of standing ovations at the beginning of the event and explain the reasoning behind it, not only to help prevent the health risks of sitting but also to boost participants' alertness and energy levels.